This summer, we’ve been treated to an endless conveyor belt of restomods, with the Built by Legends R34 , the TWR Supercat and the recently announced Ford RS200 being our pick of the bunch. The latest icon to go under the restomod knife is the Ferrari 355, which makes the team at RUSH more than a little apprehensive, because it’s a masterpiece from Maranello that’s close to our hearts. 

Regardless of where you stand on the styling changes, the promised enhanced driving experience certainly won’t divide opinion. The exterior of the Evoluto 355 makes extensive use of carbon fibre panels to help with reducing weight, bringing the total down to 1250 KG. This isn’t the only area where carbon is used. To strengthen the chassis, carbon bracing is fused to the areas of the chassis. Evoluto claims the use of carbon throughout has helped to improve the torsional rigidity by 23 percent.

Alongside this, the track has been increased giving a more muscular stance over the original 355. Thankfully Evoluto decided to keep the pop-up headlights, with the only changes there being they are now updated LED’s, but next to them you’ll find larger cooling intakes, ensuring the 3.5-litre V8 can be kept cool. 

Moving to the side of the Evoluto, there’s 19” forged alloy wheels all around, wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber. You’ll also find larger, more pronounced air intakes to allow the naturally aspirated V8 to breathe all the oxygen it needs.

Speaking of the V8, I think it's time we address the powerplant of the Evoluto. The 3.5-litre V8 still remains naturally aspirated! As a result, there won’t be a jaw dropping power increase. Instead, the 355 now produces 425 bhp, modest by today’s prancing horse standards, but a healthy 45 bhp increase on the original. How have they achieved the power bump? Well, they have included an all new engine management system. Alongside this, there is a new coil-on-plug ignition. Using this helps improve the ignition timing and increased fuel efficiency. Oh and more importantly, a better throttle response. 

Other changes include larger inlet valves, solid lifters and a new inlet camshaft for each cylinder head to help the V8 sing. There is also a new titanium exhaust, with equal length headers, to help that V8 sing up to a new, 8,500 rpm rev limiter. Overall, Evoluto claims “200 new and redesigned engine components” have been fitted.

It would be pointless to do all these upgrades without focussing on the brakes to help stop the car. As standard, there are 6 piston Brembo callipers gripping the front slotted discs, 4 piston callipers grip the discs with uprated Brembo pads, lines and fluids. However, if you want something a little more hardcore, you can option carbon CCMR brakes. 

L